Marcoleta taken to PNP hospital for chest pain, hypertension: CIDG
Sen. Rodante Marcoleta was hospitalized after allegedly experiencing certain ailments following his arrest for plunder by authorities late afternoon on Monday, July 6.
"Nagreklamo si Senator Marcoleta ng chest pain at mataas [blood pressure] niya, that's why dinala muna namin sa ospital," Criminal Investigation and Detection Group director PMGEN Robert Morico II told reporters in an ambush interview, adding that the lawmaker was taken to the PNP Hospital.
He added that Marcoleta's medical examination will then be submitted to the Sandiganbayan to determine whether he is medically fit to be transported to the anti-graft court for the implementation of his return arrest warrant.
Marcoleta’s co-accused, former Quezon City Rep. Michael Defensor and businessman Joseph Espiritu, have already been brought to the Sandiganbayan, awaiting a commitment order.
In an earlier interview with ABS-CBN News, Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla confirmed that Marcoleta's doctors advised that he undergo EGC and other tests before being incarcerated.
"We don't want to take the responsibility na may mangyari sa kanya sa loob, so sisiguraduhin na siya ay in good health." Remulla said.
He added that Marcoleta might be confined at Camp Crame General Hospital should he not be fit enough for trial and to stay at Payatas City Jail.
Marcoleta's arrest comes following an arrest warrant for non-bailable plunder charges over his undeclared P75 million in campaign donations.
The Ombudsman also charged Marcoleta and three others—former congressman Mike Defensor and businessmen Joseph Varias Espiritu and Aristotle Baluyut Viray—with indirect bribery and violation of Presidential Decree 46 prohibiting public officials from receiving gifts by reason of their office.
When the Ombudsman announced the charges on June 30, Iglesia Ni Cristo staged a three-day rally in support of Marcoleta, a prominent member, from June 30 to July 2.
